Chapter 662
Entrusting an Important Matter
Chapter 662 Entrusting an Important Matter
Everyone understands this about intellectuals.
Otherwise, what's the point of always organizing these social gatherings?
Now is the perfect time to show off one's talents in public. If one is lucky enough to catch the ear of an important person and gain their favor, the benefits will be immeasurable.
In a short time, many people responded.
Shen Changle breathed a sigh of relief, his round, cheerful face beaming with smiles. He squinted and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, those who guess three or more riddles correctly during their stroll through the garden can write a riddle at the exit."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go in quickly."
"Yes, yes, those who have poems in their heads should hurry up and write them down. Those who can't think of any shouldn't take up space, others are getting impatient."
Shen Changle smiled and reassured them, "No rush, no rush, there are plenty of riddles and prizes, take your time in line."
"May I ask when Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang will arrive?"
“They came before the grand parade,” Shen Changle said with a smile, but then added, “They also want to watch the grand parade. After the parade, they might go back to other places to see lantern festivals or something.”
That means they only stayed until about half an hour before the grand review.
The scholars grew even more anxious: "If we have to come before the grand review, then we'd better hurry!"
Someone hurriedly ordered a servant to go to the Shuhai Pavilion to fetch someone: "Quickly tell Li Juren and the others that Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang are coming to Ranxiangju and will only stay until before the Grand Review. If you want to see them, you must first participate in the garden party at Ranxiangju and guess more than three riddles correctly. Tell them to come quickly, or they will be too late as more and more people arrive."
"Yes, we can see the Nine-Turn Lotus Lantern anytime. We can't wait here. I need to send a message to call my classmates over."
Upon hearing this, Shen Changle thought to himself, "Madam's plan is brilliant. Look, she has already summoned people from the Book Sea Pavilion. No matter how beautiful the Nine-Turn Lotus Lantern is, you can only admire it for a short while. It's not as good as ours. Once people come, they can't leave."
Seeing that more and more scholars were gathering in front of Ranxiang Residence, Shen Changle entered the shop, stopped in front of a private room, and reported, "Madam, many people have arrived outside and have begun to stroll in the garden."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan asked, "Has Mr. Songshan arrived?"
Shen Changle replied, "Not yet."
Qin Yuan said, "Let's talk about it when the master arrives."
After thinking for a moment, Shen Changle went to the back door and ordered someone to go and welcome Mr. Songshan.
Inside the room, Gu Baozhu looked at Qin Yuan, who was dressed in men's clothing, and said with a smile, "Now that you're dressed as a man, and I've changed back into women's clothing, how about we dress up as men and go out for fun together after the grand parade?"
Qin Yuan had his chest bound, wore a Dongpo scarf, had a mustache pasted on his lips, and had his eyebrows drawn thick and flat. Dressed in a blue Taoist robe, he looked like a thin, frail scholar from Jiangnan.
Yang'er and Hehua, who were standing beside him, had their heads wrapped in cloth and were dressed as pageboys.
Qin Yuan said in a hoarse voice, "After the grand review, I'm afraid things will get chaotic. I don't even know if we can stop that gang of thieves. What's the point of all this charade?"
Gu Baozhu swung her legs listlessly and said weakly, "That's right. After the grand review, you and Mother will go back to the manor. I'll stay here and help Third Brother catch the thief."
Isn't catching a thief more interesting than watching the lanterns?
Although this lamp is indeed very beautiful, even the most beautiful things can become tiresome after a while.
The dagger at her waist was itching for blood, eager to drink the thief's blood.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Actually, I have something important I'd like to ask you to do."
Gu Baozhu sat up straight and asked, "What important matter is it? Third Sister-in-law, just give the order." Qin Yuan said, "Didn't you say that Brother Ximen will stay a few more days because of Li Xingshou? I think we should help him out."
"How will you help?" Gu Baozhu leaned closer, her face full of anticipation.
Qin Yuan smiled slyly: "During today's ball game, the Ninth Princess paid close attention to Brother Ximen. If he gets in touch with the Ninth Princess, wouldn't that be even more direct?"
Gu Baozhu was in a daze for a while, then she realized what she meant and burst into laughter: "My dear third sister-in-law, you are truly the best of friends in the world, you are indeed my worthy sister-in-law."
Seeing that she understood, Qin Yuan said, "You can ask Qin Heng to help you, or if that doesn't work, there's always Xiao Dong."
"That's definitely going to work," Gu Baozhu said nonchalantly. "Three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. The three of us working together will definitely find a way. Third Sister-in-law, you can rest assured."
Qin Yuan added, "After this is done, I still have something I need your help with."
Gu Baozhu patted her chest: "Third Sister-in-law, just say it."
Qin Yuan said solemnly, "After the grand review, I will return to the manor with my mother. You must escort my cousin, younger brother, and Xiao Dong back. If there is no time, take them to a safe place to prevent them from being harmed by the bandits."
Gu Baozhu nodded: "Okay, leave this to me. Don't worry, Third Sister-in-law, with me here, they won't get into trouble. Besides, we've made such thorough arrangements, I'm afraid the bandits will be dead before they even cause any trouble."
Speaking of which, she also has a group of friends who play polo with her and need her protection.
So Gu Baozhu couldn't help but ask, "When will Heng-ge and Xiao-dong arrive?"
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I'm afraid we can only go out after we finish worshipping the moon at home. If you are hungry, have Shen Changle bring out some food. We can eat whatever we want. Once there are more people coming out of the garden, I'm afraid we won't have time to eat."
Gu Baozhu thought about it and agreed, saying, "Then let's have some first. My mother and third brother are here with the emperor, so there will be food for them. We don't need to worry about it."
Yang'er went out to ask Shen Changle to prepare a meal.
About half an hour later, a nearby restaurant sent over a food box, complete with a full set of silver cutlery.
The waiter said cautiously, "Sir, the restaurant is crowded today, and some dishes are already sold out. Ranxiangju is a regular customer, so the manager noticed that we added some dishes, and we'll only charge half price for those."
Gu Baozhu clicked her tongue in amazement: "Sold out already? Why didn't you stock up more?"
The waiter said helplessly, "Business is unusually booming today, after all, it's the Empress Dowager's birthday. The restaurant ordered twenty times the usual amount, and we've almost sold out. If you two can still order now, I'm afraid there won't be anything left later."
Gu Baozhu asked, "Can't we restock?"
The waiter gave a wry smile: "The city is packed with people right now, it's hard to make any supplies. The shopkeeper is kicking himself, saying it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a fortune that he can only watch helplessly. As for me, the journey here delivering the vegetables usually takes the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but today I almost couldn't squeeze in."
Qin Yuan instructed someone to give a reward: "Come back and collect the food boxes and cups when you have time."
The waiter nodded: "Don't worry, sir. Ranxiangju is a regular customer. We'll come back to collect it tomorrow."
Gu Baozhu picked up two pieces of food with her chopsticks and said, "The taste is alright, but some of my favorite dishes are not available."
Qin Yuan suddenly remembered: "Sixth Brother has been drawing lanterns all this time, I wonder if he has eaten yet."
Gu Baozhu exclaimed, "I've completely forgotten about Sixth Brother."
She put down her chopsticks and ran outside, saying, "I'm going to find him."
When Master Gu was dragged in, his front, hands, and face were covered in paint, and his hair was casually tied back. As soon as he entered, he asked in surprise, "Brother, why do you look so familiar? Did you wander into the garden by mistake and end up here?"